Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse
(Zapus hudsonius preblei)

Status: Threatened

Areas Of Influence (AOI) identify areas where any project located within should consider potential effects to the Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, and Candidate species and designated and proposed Critical Habitat, in reference to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. AOI typically encompass larger areas than simply where the species is known to exist because of direct and indirect effects to the species and their habitat. It is important to consider potential effects to the species and their habitat within these larger areas. Action agencies are encouraged to refer to the Service’s Information, Planning, and Conservation System (IPAC) or contact the FWS Wyoming Ecological Services Office for additional information. (AOI boundaries based on the best available data at time of development. AOI will be updated as new information becomes available).

Federal listing status under the ESA for Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) as a threatened species in Wyoming was reinstated on August 6, 2011 (76 FR 47490).Preble’s meadow jumping mouse is a small rodent in the Zapodidae family and is one of 12 recognized subspecies of Z. hudsonius, the meadow jumping mouse. This species has a body length of 3 to 4 inches, a bicolored tail 4 to 6 inches in length, large hind feet adapted for jumping, and a distinct dark stripe down the middle of its back bordered on either side by gray to orange-brown fur. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits, fungi, and insects. Preble’s meadow jumping mouse is primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, but has been observed during daylight. Hibernation occurs from October to May in small burrows the mouse excavates several centimeters underground.

Preble’s meadow jumping mouse exhibits a preference for lush vegetation along watercourses or herbaceous understories in wooded areas near water. The mouse occurs in low undergrowth consisting of grasses or forbs; in wet meadows and riparian corridors; or areas where tall shrubs and low trees provide adequate cover. The species uses upland habitats as far as 330 feet beyond the 100-year floodplain. In Wyoming, Preble’s meadow jumping mouse has been documented in Albany, Laramie, Platte and Converse counties, and may occur in Goshen County. If a proposed project will disturb suitable habitat within any of these five counties, surveys should be conducted prior to any action. Due to the difficulty in identifying the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, surveys should be conducted by knowledgeable biologists trained in conducting these surveys.